Japan's foreign ministry removes drill photos after anti-terror costumes are criticised as Muslim stereotypes

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.

Japan's foreign ministry has faced a social media backlash after photographs from a 10 September anti-terror drill showed actors portraying terrorists in headscarves strongly resembling Arab keffiyehs. The images prompted accusations that the ministry was cementing the stereotype of Arabs and Muslims as terrorists, and officials responded by taking down the photographs and issuing a public statement. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi defended the exercise as essential for the safety of Japanese citizens overseas, and the ministry maintained that the costumes were not drawn from any particular ethnic group or religion.

The drill, held at a Tokyo government facility with a private security firm, was modelled on the 2016 Dhaka terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of seven Japanese nationals.

One social media user called for an apology, arguing that 'dressing the terrorist character in attire that evokes a specific region leads to discrimination.'

Motegi committed to releasing 'appropriate information at the appropriate time, as well as careful explanations' in future.